In solidarity with ex-CIA director, William McRaven asks Trump to revoke his security clearance

In a strongly worded letter, McRaven, the former chancellor of the University of Texas System, asked President Donald Trump to revoke his security clearance so he could be included on "the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency."

Former University of Texas System Chancellor William McRaven at his office in downtown Austin on May 22, 2018. | by Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune
Marjorie Kamys Cotera for The Texas Tribune

McRaven, who served as UT's chancellor for three and a half years before stepping down in May, was commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014 and gained national prominence for his role in orchestrating the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden.

His letter to Trump begins with a reference to John Brennan, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency whose security clearance Trump revoked this week.

"Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John," McRaven wrote. "He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him.

"Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency," he wrote.

McRaven wrote in the letter that he had hoped Trump "would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs." Instead, Trump's actions "have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation," he wrote.

McRaven cited health reasons and a desire to pursue other interests when he left the chancellor position earlier this year. He told the Texas Tribune in May that he was slated to teach a course at UT-Austin’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs in the spring.

Disclosure: The University of Texas System and the University of Texas at Austin have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors is available here.

Quality journalism doesn't come free

Perhaps it goes without saying — but producing quality journalism isn't cheap. At a time when newsroom resources and revenue across the country are declining, The Texas Tribune remains committed to sustaining our mission: creating a more engaged and informed Texas with every story we cover, every event we convene and every newsletter we send. As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on members to help keep our stories free and our events open to the public. Do you value our journalism? Show us with your support.